So how far away is Free Posting?

[Martini_Enfield]

I ask because my membership is up in two days, and while I really enjoy the boards and the people who post here, $15 is $15, and with the boards switching to Free Posting soon, I don’t really want to spend money only to have the boards stop being P2P in a month’s time or whatever.

Yes, I know that if I renew and the board goes FtP, I won’t see any ads… but on the other hand, well, let’s just say the ads aren’t really something that concern me too much at this stage.

Anyone got a timeframe at all?

[DSYoungEsq]

@Martini Enfield

I ask because my membership is up in two days, and while I really enjoy the boards and the people who post here, $15 is $15, and with the boards switching to Free Posting soon, I don’t really want to spend money only to have the boards stop being P2P in a month’s time or whatever.

Yes, I know that if I renew and the board goes FtP, I won’t see any ads… but on the other hand, well, let’s just say the ads aren’t really something that concern me too much at this stage.

Anyone got a timeframe at all?

Check out your actual membership ending date. I think you will find it’s been pushed back.

If not, I’d petition to have it moved until this issue is settled.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

Just as a comment: the mods have no more idea than any of you. If Jerry or someone in the know happens to see this thread, they may respond with something substantive.

[Fiveroptic]

If they “happen” to see this thread? Should each of us email Jerry and Ed with a link to make sure they see it or should you and TubaDiva, as administrators, ask them on behalf of those who are needing to make this decision in the next few weeks? You’re closer to those in the know than we are and a query from you is more likely to get a response. Martini Enfield asked a very legitimate question that needs – and deserves – a prompt response.

[Contrapuntal]

@Fiveroptic

If they “happen” to see this thread? Should each of us email Jerry and Ed with a link to make sure they see it or should you and TubaDiva, as administrators, ask them on behalf of those who are needing to make this decision in the next few weeks? You’re closer to those in the know than we are and a query from you is more likely to get a response. Martini Enfield asked a very legitimate question that needs – and deserves – a prompt response.

It’s sort of been answered already.

I’m a charter member but ads don’t bug me. I’m going to let my subscription lapse. Will free posting begin by April 30?

We can’t guarantee that. If it seems like we’re close, we’ll probably just extend everyone’s subscription a week or two.

[Quartz]

I renewed anyway.

[Charter_Member1]

yikes.
I only registered as a guest because i assumed things would be up and running before it expires.

Is there a reason (besides money?) that we wouldn’t be told as soon as possible?
And is there a reason they DONT know?

[Jinx]

Since the majority of the SD Posters, I WAG, are original members…the Chicago Reader will decide only AFTER collecting one more round from us in late April/early May. What inquiring minds really need to know is…will they offer refunds IF this decision to go free passes? - Jinx

[Mangetout]

@Jinx

Since the majority of the SD Posters, I WAG, are original members…the Chicago Reader will decide only AFTER collecting one more round from us in late April/early May. What inquiring minds really need to know is…will they offer refunds IF this decision to go free passes? - Jinx

I believe when the decision was originally announced, Ed said that if it looked like it was going to be close, they’d probably extend existing subscriptions until after the change. But, yeah, despite that, I can’t help feeling the same suspicions as you.

[Malacandra]

@Jinx

Since the majority of the SD Posters, I WAG, are original members…the Chicago Reader will decide only AFTER collecting one more round from us in late April/early May. What inquiring minds really need to know is…will they offer refunds IF this decision to go free passes? - Jinx

I believe the answer to that involves the words “chance”, “hairy”, “fat” and “big”. :dubious:

[bbs2k]

Gee, you don’t think they’ll post a huge honking announcement when they make a decision and are ready to let us know, do you? Until then, I suspect you’ve gotten all the answer you’re going to get.
(Some people will get this)

[Contrapuntal]

@Mangetout

I believe when the decision was originally announced, Ed said that if it looked like it was going to be close, they’d probably extend existing subscriptions until after the change. But, yeah, despite that, I can’t help feeling the same suspicions as you.

I swear I must be on the ultimate ignore list. From my link above :

I’m a charter member but ads don’t bug me. I’m going to let my subscription lapse. Will free posting begin by April 30?

We can’t guarantee that. If it seems like we’re close, we’ll probably just extend everyone’s subscription a week or two.

I subscribed two months ago. Will I get a refund?

No. The message that came through to us loud and clear during the controversy last year was that our subscribers expect not to see ads. In switching from pay-to-post to pay-for-no-ads, we think we’re giving our subscribers equivalent value - literally. The revenue we forego by not showing ads to subscribers is likely to at least equal our subscription revenue. Also, to be frank, trying to refund small amounts to thousands of users would be a logistical nightmare.

[Cicero]

$15 will only buy a six pack of XXXX anyway. That won’t last a year- not in my fridge anyway.

[EllisDee]

@Jinx

Since the majority of the SD Posters, I WAG, are original members…the Chicago Reader will decide only AFTER collecting one more round from us in late April/early May. What inquiring minds really need to know is…will they offer refunds IF this decision to go free passes? - Jinx

They won’t be collecting any more money from me. If it ends up being six months between May 10th and when they finally ditch P2P, well, I guess they lost a poster.

Just the concept of saying they will go to free posting because it’s a smarter model and not putting it in effect immediately shows how staggeringly stupid the administration is to begin with.

There is no need whatsoever to wait for the new server. And really, does even a single poster believe that one is coming? For real? This will most likely turn out to be yet another promise of “great new things to come” that was made and never followed through on.

Once they realized they would make more money with a free (ad-supported) board, they should have ended P2P within the day. The fact that they haven’t is pathetic. What’s the idea, exactly? Keep the membership smaller? Yeah, real geniuses running this place.

[Marley23]

That stuff should be in the Pit, Ellis Dee. Thanks.

And as far as the subject of the thread goes… what Dex said.

[Mangetout]

@Contrapuntal

I swear I must be on the ultimate ignore list.

Can anybody hear something?

Didn’t think so.
Seriously. Sorry - I’d read the thread before, opening it last time took me straight to Jinx’s post, which I responded to without scrolling up, or remembering that you had answered a similar point, in a similar way, earlier.

[Justin_Bailey]

@Marley23

That stuff should be in the Pit, Ellis Dee. Thanks.

And as far as the subject of the thread goes… what Dex said.

While his wording may be a little harsh for ATMB, the content of his post is spot on. If “Posting With Ads” would make the SDMB more money, then a desire to push those ads to as many members as possible makes the most sense. And delaying what is little more than a checkbox option in vBulletin is ridiculous. It doesn’t require any coding know-how, it requires turning off the 30-day limit on the “Guest” usergroup.

[TubaDiva]

“The BBQ Pit: If you gotta flame, do it here. This is the place for all complaints and other discussion regarding administration of the SDMB.”